Online gourmet food and hamper shop

Gift buyers, food lovers who cannot find specialist products locally, and small businesses buying client gifts.

You sell products and hampers at a markup, plus delivery charges. Repeat orders and seasonal peaks such as Christmas add to sales.

• Choosing and sourcing quality products
• Basic website and photography skills
• Packing and organising orders
• Social media or email marketing

• Register as a food business with your local council, including if you pack food at home (check with your council)
• Food hygiene, allergen labelling and shelf life rules for packed food
• Perishable items need insulated packaging and fast delivery, so test before selling
• Distance selling rules on cancellations and refunds
• Check your home insurance and any landlord or mortgage permissions if you store stock at home
• Public liability and product liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your website, opening stock, packaging and photography. Test your packaging and delivery before you start selling, especially for perishable items.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £5,000, depending on your range, how well you market it and how busy gifting seasons are. That is revenue before stock, packaging and courier costs.

Check how to register as a food business with your local council, including if you pack food at home. Also check food hygiene, allergen labelling, shelf life rules, distance selling rules on refunds, and your insurance.